I have used circuits in which a hot wire formed one leg of a "wheatstone
bridge" and power was controllably fed to the bridge in such a way as to
keep the bridge balanced, whereby the temperature of a wire was kept
essentially constant despite thermal loading.  This method relies on the
positive temperature coefficient of resistance of the wire.  As long as the
entire length of the wire is immersed together in the honey, wax, etc.,
this might work.  If the full length is not kept immersed, the part in the
air is apt to burn out when the rest is immersed.

Bill Morong